SEMO softball picked seventh in OVC preseason poll

The Southeast Missouri State softball team was predicted to finish seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference this season in the league's preseason poll, which was released Thursday morning.

The Redhawks, who were picked 11th in last year's poll, finished seventh and made the OVC tournament for the first time since 2011 during coach Mark Redburn's first season at the helm last year.

Defending OVC tournament champion Tennessee Tech was voted the favorites to win the conference in the poll, which is voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Golden Eagles received 13 first-place votes. Jacksonville State was second and got nine first-place votes. The remaining two first-place votes went to Murray State, which was picked third.

Defending regular-season champion SIU Edwardsville was tabbed fourth followed by Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois. The Panthers beat out Southeast by one point for sixth in the poll.

UT Martin, Morehead State, Belmont, Austin Peay and Tennessee State rounded out the predicted order of finish.

Southeast's season gets underway at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on Feb. 12.

The Redhawks' home opener is against Bradley on March 12 as part of the Southeast Games.

They begin conference action at home on March 19 vs. Murray State.

2016 OVC SOFTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Tennessee Tech (13 first-place votes) - 231

2. Jacksonville State (Nine first-place votes) - 226

3. Murray State (Two first-place votes) - 195

4. SIU Edwardsville - 192

5. Eastern Kentucky - 151

6. Eastern Illinois - 112

7. Southeast Missouri State - 111

8. UT Martin - 108

9. Morehead State - 94

10. Belmont - 66

11. Austin Peay - 50

12. Tennessee State - 27